I. The Role of Lokpal:

1. Inspite of several attempts till date the Lokpal Bill has against only and again fallen through the Parliament. It appears that all big political parties (or leaders of the political groups or very small parties) have not been sincere and serious enough about the enactment of the Lokpal Bill.

2. Lokpal should be such a powerful authority to deal with complaints against the administrative acts of ministers or secretaries to government both at the centre and the states.

3. The citizen is interested in redressal of his little problems and individual grievances but the existing avenues do not provide him easy, speedy and cheap redressal. Hence, what is required is an agency, independent of government control, to redress the common grievances of people.

II. Role of the Lokayukta:

1. There are states like Maharashtra,Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan,Karnataka,Bihar,Orissa,Himachal Pradesh and National Capital Territory of Delhi which have appointed Lokayukta for dealing with the public grievances on the lines suggested by the Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC, 1966).

2. Maharashtra was the first state to enact such legislation in 1971.The other state legislations were based more or less on the Maharashtra lines which provide the Lokayukta with exclusive powers to look into complaints against state ministers,secretaries and other senior officials.

3. Section 12 of the Himachal Pradesh Lokayukta Act, 1983,provides,'If after enquiry in respect of a complaint,the Lokayukta is satisfied that all or any of the allegations made in the complaint have or have been substantiated either or wholly or partly,he/she shall be report in writing communicate his/her findings and recommendations to the competent authority and intimate the complaint and the public servant concerned about his/her having made the report.'

4. The competent authority examines the report and has to communicate to the Lokayukata within a period of three months of the receipt of such report,the action taken thereon.

5. It may be noted that the Lokayukta is only a recommending authority.Its recommendations have no legal sanctity,nor are they binding.The final judgement in respect of the offence lies with the competent government authority.